Straw Man Proposal for a beefier FIRST Conference
Main Issue: how do you get people to come, take off work/school, and pay to travel/attend something like this?
Potential Answer: There are some major conferences that high schoolers can get out of school for, whether for leadership studies or special topics like journalism or Model UN events. Mentors is harder, but for teachers at least, sanddrag has suggested making it eligible for professional development credit.
So, my straw man:
Eligibility: I have no idea what total numbers we're aiming for.
- Students: every team to make (semi?)finals at a regional, and every next 25%? of a District's allocation (e.g. District has 20 slots for Champs, this is the next 5 points-ranked teams). Also to all EI and CA, last year's division EI, HoF, previous and this year's Dean's List finalists. For the team allocations, 5? students each.
- Adults: teams above, plus all WFFA & WFA, and all Volunteers of the Year. For all team allocations, 3? adults each.
- The addition of another optional judge's award, e.g. "Future FIRST Leaders", that allows regional (1 award) or DCMP judges (also 1?) to include a deserving team in this allocation.
- Similar criteria for FLL and FTC. Details left to those versed with the programs. Caveats that content probably won't be applicable below high school.
- There's also spots reserved for a waitlist (or waitlists, by session). All "open" events are, well, open. "Eligibility" is intended for credibility/recognition to schools for travel and for more space-limited activities.
Content:- Open: guest speakers, college/scholarship/internship/career fair [already exists]
- Student Closed Sessions: career round tables, mixers, future of FIRST discussions, breakouts for team leadership and problem solving.
- Adult Closed Sessions: left to someone who knows about teacher PD, though preferably it's not limited to very teacher-specific things. Include future of FIRST discussions, which can be joint student-adult.
- Mandatory feedback survey for everyone that attends at least one session. (Maybe one closed session, since this is easier to track.) Collects actual data on what participants view as the inspirational opportunities in FIRST.
Timing: open sessions primarily on Thursday, closed sessions Friday. (Or is that backwards?) Schedule not too densely packed. Wednesday open to attend the normal FIRST Conference; Saturday open to watch elims.
Location: I'd like it to be that you're free to go to either city. Logistically, this may mean that you're setting up your own swaps, just so that we're not in a situation in Week 7 where, e.g. FiM students qualify and Detroit is full but they're not allowed to go to Houston. Note that the content cannot be guaranteed identical between each event regardless (e.g. guest speakers).
Cost: Free registration for students. Prefer free for adults, but maybe industry for PD cost. Bonus points for Regionals/Districts (or HQ) that sponsor competitive, need-based, or full scholarships for travel and lodging.